Wiles' visit was part of Take Your Legislator to School Day, a statewide event coordinated by the Florida School Boards Association.

The purpose of the event was to increases lawmakers' awareness of educational issues.

Out of 64 school districts statewide, St. Johns County is one of 32 that participated.

Rep. Don Davis (R-Jacksonville) and Rep. Dick Kravitz (R-Orange Park), who also represent parts of St. Johns County, visited schools in Duval County. Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Jacksonville) visited a school in Nassau County, while Sen. Tony Hill (D-Jacksonville) and Senate President Jim King (R-Jacksonville) did not participate.

"It's good to be with you today," Wiles told the school during the daily televised morning announcements. "It's important that I understand what really impacts you."

"What is your biggest need?" Wiles asked Key. "If you could have one thing, what would it be?"

Key said he would like to extend the school year from 180 days to 200 to increase learning time for children. Key said he also would like to see the school district administer and run a universal pre-kindergarten program so all students begin kindergarten on the same academic level.

"We would have readers by the time they're in kindergarten," Key said. "I think it's going to help everybody."

The two also talked about the disadvantages of grading schools.

Hastings Elementary received a D grade last school year.

"If you have a grade of a D, parents don't want to send their kids here, teachers don't want to apply for jobs here," Key said. "There's a stigma that follows (the grade). You want to get the best teachers in those areas."

Wiles said a solution to attracting teachers might be to provide an incentive, such as funding for a master's degree, for them to teach in an inter-city or low performance school.

Cynthia Williams, assistant principal, said she was pleased with Wiles' visit.

"Of course, we love the opportunity for our legislators to come out and experience the school hands-on with our students," she said. "(Hopefully) ... he'll have a better understanding when he goes back to Tallahassee and votes on issues that impact our students."

Wiles said he picked Hastings Elementary because he's known Key for many years and the two have always approached each other with concerns.

"The only way I can do my job is to stay connected to the issues," Wiles said.

Hastings Elementary has about 300 students and will be replaced by a new elementary school in the south in 2005.